Intervention

  THE founder of RESTANCHOR Total Child Parenting Foundation, Pastor Prince Leye Adefioye, has commended the Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde, for her commitment to the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children across the state. Adefioye gave the commendation on Tuesday during the First Lady’s Easter visit to the foundation’s office in Ibadan, where over 3,000 orphans and vulnerable children were hosted in a celebratory outreach. In his welcome address, the cleric described the visit as “historic,” noting that Makinde is the first First Lady to physically visit the foundation’s children at its office since its establishment in 2006. “This act of compassion, humility, and identification with the vulnerable will remain indelible in our hearts and in the annals of this foundation,” he said. He praised the First Lady’s consistent advocacy for children’s welfare, adding that her intervention reflects a broader commitment by the administration of Seyi Makinde to child development and social protection. Adefioye recalled that in 2022, under the platform of the National Council of Child Rights Advocates of Nigeria, Governor Makinde was nominated as the best governor in children’s welfare in the South-West, a recognition he said was backed by documented advocacy and evidence. Highlighting the impact of the foundation, Adefioye said RESTANCHOR has, over the years, supported more than 5,000 children and over 3,000 families through education, healthcare, food assistance, mentorship, and empowerment initiatives. He, however, noted that many children still face severe economic hardship, describing them as “victims of circumstances beyond their control,” and called for sustained intervention from government and stakeholders. Meanwhile, the founder also made two key appeals to the First Lady, urging her to facilitate the formal recognition of a United Nations-related award linked to the governor’s contributions to child welfare, and to accept an invitation to serve as the Matron of the foundation at its 20th anniversary scheduled for October 22, 2026. Speaking during the outreach, the First Lady, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Ajibike Lawal, said the Easter initiative was designed to demonstrate love and solidarity with vulnerable children amid prevailing economic challenges. She explained that the programme involved visits to 12 homes across the 33 local government areas of the state, with the distribution of food items and cash support to beneficiaries. “We are celebrating with these children to show them that they are loved and remembered by the Oyo State Government, despite the challenges around us,” she said. “Easter is a season of love and sacrifice, and we want them to feel that love.” Lawal also called on individuals, corporate organisations, and philanthropists to support vulnerable groups, stressing that acts of kindness contribute to building a more inclusive society.